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Pastor's Blog April 1, 2021

"View of God in Romans IV"

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So far God has shown us in Romans that his judgment is just and fair by how he responds to human sin: with forgiveness, kindness, faithfulness, and by drawing us to repentance and into a trusting relationship with himself.  But it's in Romans 3:21-24 that the focus shifts to something else God shows us about himself: his righteousness or justice.  The Greek word for "righteousness" is the same word for "justice"; in the New Testament, the only way you can tell which idea is being discussed is by the context - and New Testament writers often talk about righteousness and justice at the same time! 

Paul points out in Romans 3:21 that "apart from the Law the righteousness/justice of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets" (NASB).  Among other things, Romans 1 and 2 highlight the fact that God's law helps us know him because it tells us what he's like and what his intentions have always been for us (namely, good).  But Paul then highlights the fact in Romans 3 that God has already shown us what his righteousness/justice is without assistance from that law; instead, the law and the prophets - basically, the entire written revelation of who God is and what he's like - stand as witnesses to how God has manifested his righteousness/justice to us: through the faith of Jesus Christ, which is given to everyone who trusts him (verse 22), and through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, which is given to ever sinner who wants to be justified by his grace (verse 24). 

Most Bible versions translate Romans 3:22 as "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ," but Paul's original Greek literally says "the righteousness/justice of God through the faith of Jesus Christ."  Paul's point in Romans 3:21-24 is not about OUR faith, but rather the faithfulness of JESUS as the way in which God has shown his righteousness/justice to us all! 

God's righteousness consists in him saving us through Jesus, the one who has been supremely faithful to God.  And God considers it justice to justify everyone who trusts in him through Jesus, the Redeemer of sinners. 

Friends, I invite you this weekend to reflect and rejoice in the righteousness and justice God has already shown you through the redemption found in Jesus our Savior.